contender

American  

[kuhn-ten-der] / kənˈtɛn dər /

noun

1. a person or group that competes against others to win something; contestant.

   The three remaining contenders for the Democratic Party nomination met for a televised debate.

2. a person or group with a good chance of success in a contest.

   After last season’s disaster, the Texas team needed to convince me they were a contender.

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Etymology

Origin of contender

contend ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Anti-Indianism has been notably subdued on the campaign trail - not because it has faded, but because every political contender knows that a reset with India is unavoidable.

From BBC

By the time it resumed, with Italian contender Sofia Goggia due to take her shot at the podium, more than 15 minutes had passed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unfortunately for those attempting to civically engage, the current crop of contenders is, shall we say, less than enthralling.

From Los Angeles Times

Had she not crashed in the last World Cup downhill ahead of the Olympics, in Crans Montana at the end of January, Vonn would have been a serious contender for gold in Cortina.

From Barron's

The 41-year-old ski star with a surgically repaired right knee and without a functioning ACL in her left will begin the race as a legitimate contender to win a medal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adversary
• challenger
• competition
• contestant
• opponent
• rival